An Empty Seat In Congress

March 12, 1985

The 8th Congressional District in southern Indiana has been without a representative since January when the Democratic majority in Congress refused to seat the apparent winner in a closely contested race. Incumbent Democrat Frank McCloskey appeared to be the winner by 72 votes on election night, but after the returns were corrected in one county, his Republican challenger, Richard McIntyre, emerged victorious by 34 votes.

The State of Indiana then certified Mr. McIntyre as the winner, but the Democrats demanded a full recount in all 15 counties in the district. That gave the Republican a 418-vote victory and he was again certified the winner by the state.

However, the House of Representatives still refuses to seat Mr. McIntyre until its Committee on House Administration reviews the returns. That is supposed to happen sometime this spring.

The taxpayers in southern Indiana, meanwhile, have no representative in Congress. The House of Representatives ought to put an end to the pettiness and seat Mr. McIntyre.